 Muster rolls and photographs from the Sophienburg Archives | The Sophienburg presents Roll Call, an exhibit on Comal County's participation in the U.S. Civil War. It will include photos, obituaries, letters and artifacts belonging to the soldiers featured in Wilfred Schlather's book War Between the States, Participants from Comal County. The opening is scheduled for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 19, 2012, Free Historic Museum Day in New Braunfels. An encampment by the Gustav Hoffman Chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, cannon firing, children's activities, genealogical information, and music will be a part of this recognition of Civil War veterans.
A special exhibition, C.J. Iwonski: Paintings and Sketches, will open the same day. The centerpiece of the exhibit is a 10-by-10-foot oil on canvas Iwonski painted for the Casino Club in San Antonio to celebrate the news of the fall of Paris in January 1871 to German forces in the Franco-Prussian War. The painting is the largest known undertaking of Iwonski in Texas. |
WHAT IS THE SOPHIENBURG? In 1845 Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels and a group of emigrants set out from Germany to start a colony in the Republic of Texas. The Prince chose a site on the Comal River because of its abundant water, lush vegetation, and "a good omen." He and his band of pioneers founded New Braunfels, named for his hometown in Germany. Prince Carl chose a hill overlooking the beginnings of the town and began his plan to build a castle on the site. His home was to be called Sophienburg — Sophie's Castle — for his fiancée, Lady Sophia, Princess of Salm-Salm. He returned to Germany to bring Sophia to Texas, but she refused to leave. Prince Carl chose his fiancée over Texas and stayed in Germany to marry Sophia. He never returned to Texas. Today the Sophienburg Museum and Archives stands on the hill chosen long ago by Prince Carl. Sophienburg Museum and Archives hours are 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday.
Closed Sunday and Monday.
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